Saudi Foreign Minister calls on Iran to be more forthcoming about its nuclear program

February 13, 2013

(Washington, DC) -- Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal yesterday criticized Iran’s lack of cooperation with the international community and called on Iran to be more forthcoming about its nuclear program to remove any doubts that surround its peaceful use, in accordance with the criteria and procedures of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Prince Saud also reaffirmed the Kingdom’s long-standing policy of advocating for a nuclear-free Middle East.

Prince Saud said, “we are seeking neither conciliation nor a settlement between Iran and any entity that wants to negotiate with it. Instead, we are seeking a solution to evade any increase in nuclear weapons in the Middle East. We would like to see a nuclear-free Middle East, as this is the policy we are pursuing.” Prince Saudi added that while Iran claims to pursue a peaceful nuclear path, “actually it is working on developing a nuclear bomb. If that was its intention, then it breached the international community’s rules and U.N. laws and resolutions.”

Prince Saud said it is “natural and necessary to reach a deal between Iran and the international community” and that Iran “should abide by the international rules in force, notably on increasing its nuclear arsenal in the region.” The ideal solution to the problem, Prince Saud said, is to create a Middle East free of nuclear weapons.